intuitively
gb/ɪntˈuɪtɪvli/ us/ɪntˈuɪtɪvli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
process
1
by instinct, without reasoning
using your feelings or instincts, not careful thinking
Usage pattern:
do [something] intuitively
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean “intentionally”; it means “without deliberate reasoning.”
Synonyms
instinctively (More strongly suggests an automatic, natural reaction.)
|
by instinct (A more explicit phrase; often emphasizes lack of conscious thought.)
|
gut-feeling (Informal; highlights emotion-based judgment.)
Antonyms
deliberately (Emphasizes conscious intention and planning.)
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analytically (Emphasizes step-by-step reasoning and logic.)
|
consciously (Emphasizes awareness and deliberate thought.)
Collocations
intuitively know
|intuitively feel
|intuitively sense
|intuitively understand
|intuitively grasp
|intuitively choose
|intuitively decide
|intuitively react
|intuitively recognize
|intuitively pick up
Themes
thinking
|emotions
|decision_making
Examples
- She intuitively knew something was wrong, even before anyone spoke.
- He plays the melody intuitively, without reading the sheet music.
- Over time, you start to intuitively recognize which emails are scams.
Learner examples
- I intuitively knew the answer.
- She intuitively chose the right door.
adverb
formal
C1
abstract
2
as seems likely at first
used to introduce what feels true at first
Usage pattern:
Intuitively, [clause]
Common mistake:
In this use, it usually comes at the start of a sentence and is followed by a comma: “Intuitively, …”.
Synonyms
at first glance (Focuses on an initial impression, especially visual or quick.)
|
on an intuitive level (More explicit; common in explanations and teaching.)
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roughly speaking (Signals simplification rather than intuition specifically.)
Antonyms
strictly speaking (Emphasizes precision and exact conditions rather than intuition.)
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formally (Emphasizes proof, rules, or a formal framework.)
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counterintuitively (Signals that the truth goes against intuition.)
Collocations
intuitively, you might think
|intuitively, it seems
|intuitively, we expect
|intuitively, this suggests
|intuitively, the idea is
|intuitively, that would mean
|intuitively, it follows
|intuitively, the result
|intuitively, the reason
|intuitively, the difference
Themes
thinking
|communication
|education
Examples
- Intuitively, the more you practice, the easier it gets.
- Intuitively, you’d expect prices to drop when demand falls.
- Intuitively, this rule prevents small errors from becoming big ones.
Learner examples
- Intuitively, this looks correct.
- Intuitively, I think it will work.
adverb
C1
property
3
in an easy-to-use way
in a way that is simple to understand and use
Usage pattern:
[something] is intuitively designed/organized/laid out
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with “intentionally”: an “intuitively designed” product feels natural to use, even if you’ve never used it before.
Synonyms
naturally (General and common; less specific to usability or design.)
|
easily (Focuses on low difficulty, not the “natural” feel.)
|
straightforwardly (Emphasizes simplicity and lack of complexity.)
Antonyms
confusingly (Hard to follow or understand.)
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awkwardly (Unnatural or uncomfortable to use.)
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counterintuitively (Behaves in a way users wouldn’t expect.)
Collocations
intuitively designed
|intuitively organized
|intuitively laid out
|intuitively usable
|intuitively navigated
|intuitively clear
|intuitively understandable
|intuitively simple
|intuitively accessible
|intuitively easy
Themes
technology
|design
|work
Examples
- The app is intuitively designed, so most people can use it right away.
- The controls are placed intuitively, within easy reach of your thumb.
- The website is intuitively organized, with the main options at the top.
Learner examples
- The menu is intuitively organized.
- The app works intuitively.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intuitively
IPA
GB/ɪntˈuɪtɪvli/
US/ɪntˈuɪtɪvli/
Syllables & stress
in - tu - it - ively (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tu)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intuitively
- Plural: intuitivelies
Word family
Expressions
intuitively speaking
1/ɪntˈuɪtɪvli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
speaking from intuition
used before a simple, common-sense explanation
Examples
- Intuitively speaking, the system works like a set of connected pipes.
- Intuitively speaking, adding more steps increases the chance of mistakes.
- Intuitively speaking, the farther you are, the quieter it sounds.
intuitively, ...
1/ɪntˈuɪtɪvli | |/
fixed phrase
formal
introduces an intuitive explanation
used to say what feels true at first
Examples
- Intuitively, you might think the larger group would always win.
- Intuitively, the shortcut seems faster, but it isn’t.
- Intuitively, this approach reduces risk.